Wales recalls Henson for Six Nations

Wales has recalled Gavin Henson for rugby's Six Nations, handing the centre what could be a last chance to re-establish himself at international level.

Henson missed Wales' fourth-place finish at last year's World Cup because of a broken arm and is one of four players in the 35-man squad who did not make at least the tournament training squad or December's Test against Australia.

With first-choice inside centre Jamie Roberts carrying a knee injury, coach Warren Gatland also called up Ospreys centre Ashley Beck as one of six uncapped players.

"We have had to strike a balance with this squad," Gatland said. "The majority are those players who excelled for Wales during the Rugby World Cup, but we are also taking the opportunity to look at one or two youngsters before probably cutting our numbers even further."

The squad will be trimmed after a week of intense training, which includes the use of cryotherapy chambers to improve recovery and allow players to cram in more sessions.

Wales' fitness after a training camp in Poland was cited as one of the reasons for the players' sometimes sparkling play in New Zealand.

"These are exciting times for Welsh rugby," Gatland said. "We showed a huge amount of potential at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and we will be working as hard as humanly possible to ensure that we reach our potential in this year's Six Nations championship."

Henson would probably have been at the World Cup but broke his arm after half an hour of an August warmup against England. That match at Twickenham was one of only two appearances in three years blighted by injury, poor form and a self-imposed break from the game.

His other appearance was against the Barbarians in June.

He is 30 next month and has been criticised by Welsh fans and media for putting a celebrity lifestyle ahead of his rugby career, but his imaginative attacking play and the experience of 33 tests in more than 10 years could be valuable in a campaign that opens against Ireland in Dublin on February 5.